Occupational Therapist Malpractice Insurance

As an occupational therapist, you work hard to protect and care for your patients, but you can’t do your job well if you don’t take care of yourself, too.

Berxi™ offers industry-leading medical malpractice insurance with the speed and ease that you’ve come to expect from modern, technology-focused companies. The efficiency we’ve built into the process means lower prices. (On average, we save customers 20%.)* You can get a quick quote and buy a policy that’s effective today, or up to a year in advance. And since Berxi is part of Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance (BHSI), you can feel secure in knowing that you’re partnering with a company that’s focused on the long term.

Why Should I Choose Berxi for My Medical Malpractice Insurance?

At Berxi, we’re working to create a better insurance experience for OTs by offering affordable coverage and outstanding service. Here are a few things that set us apart:

Financial Stability: BHSI is part of Berkshire Hathaway’s National Indemnity group of insurance companies, consisting of National Indemnity and its affiliates, which hold financial strength ratings of A++ from AM Best and AA+ from Standard & Poor’s.

Industry-Leading Claims Support: With a nationwide network of experienced claims handlers, our team will be right there to help you navigate the process if a claim is ever filed against you.

Competitive Pricing: Buying direct from us can save customers as much as 20% — and, in some cases, even more.*

Simplified Experience: We’ve created a modern and intuitive digital insurance experience. You’ll get your policy documents as soon as you purchase, and you’ll be able to access your online account 24 / 7. We also aim to cut the jargon and talk to you like the smart, professional HUMAN that you are.

Why Do Occupational Therapists Need Malpractice Insurance?

Unfortunately, occupational therapists can get sued — either as an individual, or in a group claim involving the doctors, nurses, and therapists who were working with one patient. Ultimately, you want to protect yourself and your career. With medical malpractice insurance in place, you’ll get a team to protect your best interests and insurance for the expenses that result from your defense and any damages that need to be paid.

My Hospital/Practice Offers Med Mal for Its Employees. Do I Need More?

You should consider having your own insurance policy to protect your interests. Even if your employer provides coverage, here are some important things to consider:

A fellow employee submits a claim against you. Your company’s policy may exclude coverage for claims of one employee against another employee.

If you’ve changed jobs and a claim is filed against you for actions while you were with your previous employer, your prior company’s policy may no longer cover you.

Your employer’s policy may not cover your lost wages that accrue while you attend legal proceedings.

If a number of employees are named in the same claim, your employer’s policy may not have adequate limits to protect you and your fellow employees.

Having your own policy can help you feel more comfortable if a claim is filed against you. With your own policy, you’ll have access to your own legal representation, and the resources of the policy aren’t shared among multiple insureds.

How Much Would an Occupational Therapist Medical Malpractice Policy Cost?

Medical malpractice insurance policies for occupational therapists start at about $150 a year. However, the price of your particular policy will depend on a number of different factors, including — but not limited to — where you work, how often you work, and how many years of experience you have.**

The best way to get an accurate idea of what your policy would cost is by filling out our quick online application to receive a quote. The process takes a minute or two, and — if you choose to purchase — your policy can go into effect any day you’d like, including today.

I Work in Different Locations (e.g., Office, School, or Facility). Does the Berxi Policy Cover Me Everywhere?

Yes, your policy does follow you. If you practice in more than one state, here’s what you’ll need to do: On your application, simply select the state in which you primarily practice or do the majority of your work. Your Berxi policy follows you across all 50 states (and Washington D.C.), so work performed outside of your primary state will be covered under your policy.**

Professional, friendly, efficient! Can't ask for more.

Julia, Nurse PractitionerOregon

What’s Covered Under a Berxi Medical Malpractice Policy?

Industry Coverage

Medical Malpractice Coverage

If you work as an advanced practice or allied health medical professional, medical malpractice coverage insures you against claims of negligence or of making a mistake that caused bodily harm to another. This includes providing you with a lawyer to defend yourself and the funds you can use to pay judgments or settlements.*

AMOUNT COVERED:
Typical limits of liability range from $500,000 per claim/$1 million aggregate to $2 million per claim/$6 million aggregate

EXAMPLE:
A patient sues you for medical malpractice, along with the entire team involved in their care. In this case, Berxi retains a lawyer for you and pays the lawyer’s fees.

*All instances provided that the complaint is covered under this policy.

Defense Counsel

If a claim is filed against you, we’ll retain a lawyer for you from our network of defense attorneys specializing in medical malpractice. We’ll also pay for related defense costs (e.g., lawyer fees, court fees, expert witness costs).

Note that these defense costs are outside the limits of your insurance. This means that their services don’t cut into the settlement fees you may need to pay after a ruling.*

EXAMPLE:
You’re a self-employed NP, and you decide to select policy limits of $1 million (per claim)/$3 million (for all claims). One day, someone files a claim of malpractice against you. As part of your med mal policy, we’ll retain an attorney for you. This lawyer works specifically on your behalf and with your best interests in mind. Because this is your lawyer, you get to decide whether the case goes to trial or ends in a settlement. And you won’t need to worry about the bill at the end — the lawyer’s fees are included in your coverage and won’t impact how much of the $1 million you have for paying settlements.

*All instances provided that the complaint is covered under this policy.

Worldwide Coverage

Your policy applies on a worldwide basis, as long as a claim is brought against you in the United States (which includes any U.S. territories or possessions).*

EXAMPLE:
You go to the Dominican Republic to volunteer as a nurse following a devastating hurricane. Upon your return, you find out that one of your Dominican patients has filed a claim of medical malpractice against you — and they filed it in the U.S.

*All instances provided that the complaint is covered under this policy.

Good Samaritan Coverage

If you provide medical care to someone outside of your primary work setting and that person files a claim against you, your policy would still apply.*

EXAMPLE:
You’re at a restaurant and someone at the next table begins to choke. You rush over and immediately begin performing CPR. However, while saving this person’s life, you inadvertently break three of his ribs. Because you’re a certified medical expert, the patient sues you for his injury.

*All instances provided that the complaint is covered under this policy.

Sexual Misconduct/Abuse

If (noncriminal) allegations of sexual misconduct are made against you, we’ll retain counsel to represent you and pay defense costs — unless or until the sexual misconduct or abuse is determined to have occurred.*

EXAMPLE:
You perform a routine examination of a patient. However, you find out later that you made them feel uncomfortable and they decided to file a claim against you. In this instance, your policy would retain a lawyer on your behalf. Additionally, your defense fees are covered up until there is an admission or finding of liability.

*All instances provided that the complaint is covered under this policy.

Automatic Coverage Extensions

Information Privacy Coverage (HIPAA)

If a claim alleges that you violated privacy rules in connection with private health information, we provide you with access to counsel and will reimburse you for costs related to HIPAA proceedings — including relevant HIPAA fines.*

AMOUNT COVERED:
$25,000 per policy period

EXAMPLE:
A patient’s records were released without his permission, and you’re listed as responsible for the mistake.

*All instances provided that the complaint is covered under this policy.

License Protection

If you’re involved in a licensing board action or proceeding, our policy provides you with legal counsel.*

AMOUNT COVERED:
$25,000 per policy period

EXAMPLE:
Your patient has a bad case of athlete’s foot, so you write a prescription for Lamisil. A couple of weeks later, you get a call from the patient saying that their condition has not gotten any better, and that their friend said you should have prescribed a different medication. The patient made a complaint to the local Medical Board regarding your care, and you just received a letter from them. You know that you did everything right, but you still want to have a lawyer by your side to guide you through the process with the Board.

*All instances provided that the complaint is covered under this policy.

Defendant Expense Benefit/Deposition Representation

If we ask you to attend litigation activities (e.g., a deposition), our policy will reimburse you for actual lost wages and any necessary expenses you incur (e.g., travel, meals).*

AMOUNT COVERED:
Up to $1,000 per day

EXAMPLE:
We ask you to attend a deposition that requires you to take off a full day from work. Because you’re insured, we’ll reimburse you for your travel expenses, meals, and proven lost wages.

*All instances provided that the complaint is covered under this policy.

Reputation Coverage

If you face a threat to your professional reputation, we can provide you with a crisis management/public relations consultant to help clear your name.*

AMOUNT COVERED:
$50,000 per claim

EXAMPLE:
You’ve been caring for an elderly hip replacement patient with dementia. One day, his children stop by to pay him a visit. When asked how he’s doing, the patient mentions that you haven’t checked in on him all day — even though you’d actually visited him twice. Outraged, they decide to bring a claim of negligence against you, alleging that you’ve failed to provide their father with care. On top of that, they undertake an aggressive campaign to publicize your alleged negligence via social media, warning people against getting care from you.

We will retain a crisis management firm to aid you in responding to the threats made to your professional reputation.

*All instances provided that the complaint is covered under this policy.

Additional A La Carte Coverage

Business/General Liability Coverage

The policy applies if someone files a claim against you alleging that your premises or operations caused them bodily injury or harm.*

AMOUNT COVERED:
$1 million occurrence/$1 million aggregate

EXAMPLE:
You run a small medical office in town and someone slips and falls on your property. You’re alleged to be liable for their injuries.

*All instances provided that the complaint is covered under this policy.

Medicare/Medicaid Reimbursement Endorsement

If you’re audited by either Medicare or Medicaid, we offer reimbursement for related accountant or attorney costs that result from the investigation or defense of the audit proceedings.*

AMOUNT COVERED:
$30,000 for a covered audit and related expenses

EXAMPLE:
Medicare is initiating an audit of your business. To help you prepare, your policy will retain an accountant for you, who will help you go over your financial statements. And, if necessary, you could use a lawyer to defend your best interests — all while you continue to work.

*All instances provided that the complaint is covered under this policy.

* “20% savings” is based on industry pricing averages.

** Quote and issuance of a policy are conditioned upon receipt and approval of the following 1) Practice Location; 2) Profession / Specialty; 3) Employment Status; 4) Coverage Type; 5) Hours Worked; and 6) Prior Claims Activity. Final pricing and terms of coverage may vary.